If enter US after two year anniversary

[S & J 0]

Does anyone know?

I am just wondering because due to the backlog in Montreal, interviews are not being scheduled for 6-7 months and we will be close to our two year anniversary date.

If we waited until after that date would I get a "normal" green card or would it still be conditional because the visa was granted before our two years? Anyone?

[mike & elena 0]

Does anyone know?

I am just wondering because due to the backlog in Montreal, interviews are not being scheduled for 6-7 months and we will be close to our two year anniversary date.

If we waited until after that date would I get a "normal" green card or would it still be conditional because the visa was granted before our two years? Anyone?

I am sure to be quickly corrected if wrong. But I have read repeatedly that if the two year anniversary passes before entry into the US the CR1 will be changed to an IR1.

[Tarik 10]

Does anyone know?

I am just wondering because due to the backlog in Montreal, interviews are not being scheduled for 6-7 months and we will be close to our two year anniversary date.

If we waited until after that date would I get a "normal" green card or would it still be conditional because the visa was granted before our two years? Anyone?

I am sure to be quickly corrected if wrong. But I have read repeatedly that if the two year anniversary passes before entry into the US the CR1 will be changed to an IR1.

that's right.they will change it in the port of the entry.

[MargotDarko 0]

They should change it at POE. Definitely request it politely and if they don't know about the procedure or don't think it's true, politely but firmly insist.

[RandyandRina 2]

I am in the same position. There are two ways you can do it: (1) request from the CO at the time of the interview to change it from CR1 to IR1. Personally, I wrote a letter for my husband to show to the CO requesting for the change and we will attach our marriage certificate with that request; (2) request and verify at POE that the visa will be for IR1.

[pushbrk 12,269]

I am in the same position. There are two ways you can do it: (1) request from the CO at the time of the interview to change it from CR1 to IR1. Personally, I wrote a letter for my husband to show to the CO requesting for the change and we will attach our marriage certificate with that request; (2) request and verify at POE that the visa will be for IR1.

The difference between IR1 and CR1 is the 10 year and 2 year green cards you get. No, the visa doesn't change. It will still say CR1. Make sure the CBP officer notes that the marriage was more than two years ago and the green card you receive SHOULD be good for 10 years. If not, you can get it changed.

The answer to your question is "no" the visa does not change but the resulting green card matches the one an IR1 visa holder would receive.

[RandyandRina 2]

Thanks for the clarification!

I am in the same position. There are two ways you can do it: (1) request from the CO at the time of the interview to change it from CR1 to IR1. Personally, I wrote a letter for my husband to show to the CO requesting for the change and we will attach our marriage certificate with that request; (2) request and verify at POE that the visa will be for IR1.

The difference between IR1 and CR1 is the 10 year and 2 year green cards you get. No, the visa doesn't change. It will still say CR1. Make sure the CBP officer notes that the marriage was more than two years ago and the green card you receive SHOULD be good for 10 years. If not, you can get it changed.

The answer to your question is "no" the visa does not change but the resulting green card matches the one an IR1 visa holder would receive.

[pushbrk 12,269]

Thanks for the clarification!

I am in the same position. There are two ways you can do it: (1) request from the CO at the time of the interview to change it from CR1 to IR1. Personally, I wrote a letter for my husband to show to the CO requesting for the change and we will attach our marriage certificate with that request; (2) request and verify at POE that the visa will be for IR1.

The difference between IR1 and CR1 is the 10 year and 2 year green cards you get. No, the visa doesn't change. It will still say CR1. Make sure the CBP officer notes that the marriage was more than two years ago and the green card you receive SHOULD be good for 10 years. If not, you can get it changed.

The answer to your question is "no" the visa does not change but the resulting green card matches the one an IR1 visa holder would receive.

The OP asked about what happens at US entry with a CR1 visa. If your visa interview happens after the two year anniversary, the IR1 visa is granted instead of the CR1.

[mike & elena 0]

Thanks for the clarification!

I am in the same position. There are two ways you can do it: (1) request from the CO at the time of the interview to change it from CR1 to IR1. Personally, I wrote a letter for my husband to show to the CO requesting for the change and we will attach our marriage certificate with that request; (2) request and verify at POE that the visa will be for IR1.

The difference between IR1 and CR1 is the 10 year and 2 year green cards you get. No, the visa doesn't change. It will still say CR1. Make sure the CBP officer notes that the marriage was more than two years ago and the green card you receive SHOULD be good for 10 years. If not, you can get it changed.

The answer to your question is "no" the visa does not change but the resulting green card matches the one an IR1 visa holder would receive.

The OP asked about what happens at US entry with a CR1 visa. If your visa interview happens after the two year anniversary, the IR1 visa is granted instead of the CR1.

I like these two old posts which make the situation relatively clear:

IR = Immediate Relative CR = Conditional Resident

If you are married less than two years when the visa is issued the visa will be CR1. If by the time you enter the US, you happen to have passed your two year anniversary your visa will still say CR1 (The visa is in the passport already) but your will receive the same 10 year green card as an IR1 visa holder would receive. If it hasn't been two years, you will have a two-year conditional residency green card.

If you've been married two years at the time your spouse's immigrant visa is issued then it will be IR, not CR and upon entry will be granted the ten-year green card.

In short both CR and IR visas can result in the issue of a ten-year green card but only a CR can result in a two-year green card.

[hollywood79 0]

Don't enter through San Fransisco. They won't change it there even though they should!

[S & J 0]

Thank you so much for the great information!

[willchels 0]

Make sure you mention to the POE officer that you have passed your two year anniversary (or the interview officer) so they can change it for you. They won't always notice it right away so you need to bring it to their attention.

[Captain Oates 910]

pushbrk is right - the visa does not change - all you can do at POE is ask if they can note that you were married 2 years on the forms...

THE VISA DOES NOT CHANGE

YOU CANNOT ASK FOR THE VISA TO BE CHANGED

I am going in after the 4th november which is when our 2 year anniversary is.

I will ask the Officer to note this fact on the file but I will be surprised if he does...

The 10 year green card should be issued nevertheless

THE VISA DOES NOT CHANGE

YOU CANNOT ASK FOR THE VISA TO BE CHANGED

alan